25 replies to this topic

[Crotch RockIt]

I'm planning to buy a gaming laptop, something in the ~$1000 range. I came across these two MSI laptops, but I don't know which would be better for running MWO and similar games, because I don't know which is more important between CPU, RAM, and GPU.


http://www.newegg.co...N82E16834152405

This one has a better CPU (Intel Core i7 4700MQ - 2.4GHz) and more RAM (12GB) but a worse GPU (GTX 765M).



http://www.newegg.co...N82E16834152559

This one has a worse CPU (Intel Core i5 4200H - 2.8GHz) and less RAM (8GB) but a better GPU (GTX 860M).


They are practically the same price, so which offers more bang for the buck for gaming? Also, is there anything better out there at the same price point (with at least a 17" screen)?

Thanks!

[xWiredx]

For MWO only, go with the i7. For general gaming go with the 860M.

[DocBach]

get a sager from xoticpc or lpcdigital;

http://www.xoticpc.c...3rd-p-6990.html

refreshed i7 4710qm with an 860 for less

Edited by DocBach, 10 June 2014 - 09:09 AM.

[cSand]

You could buy mine... Might be a bit out of your price range though

[Mordin Ashe]

I personally wouldn't go for MSI because of my poor experience with their GE series. GT is something different but in terms of budget they are at least one bracket above what OP posted.
My favorite is Asus G5x series, currently I am playing on G55 with i7 3610qm, gtx660m and 128m ssd and it is my first DTR I am not ashamed of. G56 or G750 for 17" would be more than sufficent for MWO. Mind the weight though, those things have a lot of solid metal meaning they are durable and have great cooling (very important for i7 CPUs!), but you need a good bag for carrying them around.
Still, in a few months I will be switching to desktop and hopefully this era of gaming notebooks (any serious gaming notebook can't be called laptop) will be behind me. Too many compromises will bore you and sooner or later you should look for more robust solution.

[ultraFloon]

hello I have MSI GX660R + Corsair Force Series GT+autre motif this computer depui 2 years and I no u ner problem it 1 good with refroidissement (button) very important for one laptop .............and the best: MSI GE Série GE70

[R Razor]

Any of those laptops will run the game..........I would suggest the i7 processor because of the physics loads this game demands. If you have the ability and time, consider saving your money and looking at a 17in with at least a 780m and an i7 processor.......that would probably hold you for at least a couple of years even with newer games.

[Crotch RockIt]

xWiredx, on 10 June 2014 - 09:03 AM, said:

For MWO only, go with the i7. For general gaming go with the 860M.

Good to know. I suspected as much but wasn't sure.

DocBach, on 10 June 2014 - 09:08 AM, said:

get a sager from xoticpc or lpcdigital;

http://www.xoticpc.c...3rd-p-6990.html

refreshed i7 4710qm with an 860 for less

Very interesting. The ability to get it with Windows 7 is a bonus, too!

Mordin Ashe, on 10 June 2014 - 09:26 AM, said:

I personally wouldn't go for MSI because of my poor experience with their GE series. GT is something different but in terms of budget they are at least one bracket above what OP posted.
My favorite is Asus G5x series, currently I am playing on G55 with i7 3610qm, gtx660m and 128m ssd and it is my first DTR I am not ashamed of. G56 or G750 for 17" would be more than sufficent for MWO. Mind the weight though, those things have a lot of solid metal meaning they are durable and have great cooling (very important for i7 CPUs!), but you need a good bag for carrying them around.
Still, in a few months I will be switching to desktop and hopefully this era of gaming notebooks (any serious gaming notebook can't be called laptop) will be behind me. Too many compromises will bore you and sooner or later you should look for more robust solution.

I have a desktop that I normally use, but I just took a job that will keep me away from home several nights a week, so I need a notebook for gaming on the road.

R Razor, on 10 June 2014 - 10:29 AM, said:

Any of those laptops will run the game..........I would suggest the i7 processor because of the physics loads this game demands. If you have the ability and time, consider saving your money and looking at a 17in with at least a 780m and an i7 processor.......that would probably hold you for at least a couple of years even with newer games.

I have the ability, but not the time or inclination. I can barely justify to myself spending $1K on a computer, let alone more.

[DocBach]

And you can still get windows 7 with the sager for less than the MSI at tigerdirect.

I've had three Sagers (NP 8662, 9170, 6110) and an MSI (GE40) and the Sager's build quality and robustness beat the MSI handsdown.

[SVK Puskin]

Dude i was like you but i have changed my mind and probably you should do the same. GPUs in laptops are underpowered! So i recomend you to save a little bit more money and buy a gaming desktop!

[DocBach]

He has a gaming desktop, he plans on gaming away from home.

If a laptop is the question, the answer is sager.

[Khujjo]

I am using an MSI GE60 with i7 3610 ; gtx660m; 8 GB. I like it and it works well but the casing is more fragile than most. I don't have a lot of experience with gaming laptops and I am happy with what I have...that being said if I were to do it over I would strongly look at SAGER based on more experienced players' reviews.

[Crotch RockIt]

So, I ended up buying this Asus notebook on Amazon...

http://www.amazon.co...1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Intel Core i7-4700HQ 2.4Ghz
12 GB DDR3
17.3" screen
GTX 860M
1 TB 5400 RPM hard drive

So far I love it! I can get 40-50 fps on Very High settings, which is much better than my desktop system can achieve. Very happy with this purchase. My only complaint is the slow hard drive, so I may add a SSD later.

[SVK Puskin]

Crotch RockIt, on 02 July 2014 - 04:59 AM, said:

So, I ended up buying this Asus notebook on Amazon...

http://www.amazon.co...1?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Intel Core i7-4700HQ 2.4Ghz
12 GB DDR3
17.3" screen
GTX 860M
1 TB 5400 RPM hard drive

So far I love it! I can get 40-50 fps on Very High settings, which is much better than my desktop system can achieve. Very happy with this purchase. My only complaint is the slow hard drive, so I may add a SSD later.

That is pretty solid but laptop's GPUs are underpowered.

Edited by ENS Puskin, 02 July 2014 - 05:49 PM.

[Macksheen]

Some of us travel and enjoy playing when we're stuck in a hotel room.

[W i L d F i R 3]

I have a MSI with a i7-3630q and 680m. I can play fine. I do experience a little lag during long play times due to GPU getting hot. I think a decent cooling pad would solve issue. I normally set computer on top of something at the corners to help it breathe a little better.

I got my computer slightly used off ebay for $1000.00

[Odins Fist]

Well, I have stayed away from MSI products the last 4 years.
Why..?? I don't know if it's a drop in the quality of their components or quality control, but I have seen and had more MSI products fail or be glitchy in terms of compatibility with memory in the last four years then most other products I have used for customers..

I'm not saying they are complete trash, but they wouldn't be my first choice.

[Macksheen]

I've not seen a Sager yet, though I have seen the Razer / MSI / Alien ones up close. Are they truly that solid?

I'm likely getting a new laptop in the fall, so I'm curious.

[M E X]

DocBach, on 10 June 2014 - 09:08 AM, said:

get a sager from xoticpc or lpcdigital;

http://www.xoticpc.c...3rd-p-6990.html

refreshed i7 4710qm with an 860 for less

If you want to TRAVEL with your gaming laptop, get a APPLE MACBOOK PRO !

They might cost a bit more, especially the ones with a dedicated 2nd GPU for gaming,
BUT they weight less and their battery lasts longer than usual gaming laptops.
And best of all: When a newer better version comes out you usually can SELL your old laptop at a much higher price than a comparable gaming laptop and GET THE NEW BEST AVAILABLE MBP !

If you have not enough cash for newest and best Apple MBP, then get a old one !
I bought a refurbished MBP 9,1 ( 2012 modell ) last year for about the same price as a similar equiped MSI gaming laptop,
which currently runs MWO with 30-60 FPS on its original 1440x900 resolution in medium-high details !

As newer MBP have a retina display with a much higher resolution, I think that currently a 2nd hand MBP 9.1 is the best value for your buck if you are looking for a gaming laptop !
Currently at eBay 74 MBP with at least 8 GB RAM and 17 inch display are available.
You just need to check the offers for a dedicated 2nd GPU as the usual one isnt good enough for gaming, which means that you are looking for old high end MBP from 2012 or earlier ...

If you dont need a computer outside your residence, then better get a compact STEAMBOX or a cheaper gaming desktop.
But for travellers high end MBP from Apple are the best gaming laptops.

MfG, MEX

PS: http://www.apple-his.../mbp_17_late_11 is a good site to compare MBP and check the details, although it doesnt list the MBP 9,1 with german keyboard and 750m GPU I own ...

Edited by M E X, 02 July 2014 - 09:25 PM.

[cock a doodle do]

I hope this helps and is not just a "look how much money I have post" remember mwo is just a game and that a laptop should be a balanced piece of kit. Think about what you actually need and what will enhance your life ... While more shiny pixel porn is awesome . . . Prehaps that little more time away from the plug socket is realy what you need. .. an i5 in a laptop is almost as powerful as a mobile i7 and the other advantages massively out weigh the down falls...